Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Perfect Light

Many have speculated on the phenomenon that caused the bright star over Bethlehem announcing the birth of Christ. Whatever it was I believe we are to acknowledge it as a symbol of the Light that was entering the world with the birth of Jesus. Scripture says He was born to die so that man might live. In our ever-expanding global connection people are scrambling to be all-inclusive in every way. This is all well and good when it comes to equal rights, but the message of Christmas is getting lost in the name of political correctness. We already have to contend with the message getting lost in all the commercialization surrounding Christmas, but the greater threat is the all-year-long eroding of the message that Jesus is the Way--the Only Way to God. I will be the first to say there are several paths on the way to salvation as far as how one gets there. But the path should always end at the Cross where Jesus died upon it for my sins. Without this forgiveness my conscience cannot be wiped cleaned and the Holy Spirit cannot take up residence in me to see me safely home once my spirit leaves my body. But just as important is the fact that scripture tells us the Kingdom of God is within us and accessible right now. Can you imagine how much people are missing who think they have God just because they love and embrace everyone without regard to race, gender, or sexual orientation? That is like taking only multi-vitamins at mealtime and thinking that's all you need for your body to live. It may sustain you for awhile, but soon the body will cease to function properly, wither, and die. As Christians we need to keep the message alive all year long that in order to find true life we need to die to our sins. The Good News is that Jesus Christ has already taken our place and done this for us. Now, we only need to accept His Gift in order to receive His Holy Spirit, who will sustain us until it's time for us to go Home. To not accept it is like gathering around the tree this Christmas with your family and refusing to open the Gift from the only Person who truly knows what you need. If you don't open it, you'll never know how the Gift could have changed and enriched your life.In the meantime, those of us who have already opened our Gift are called to share this message not only in word, but in our deeds so that others can see the Light for themselves that this little baby brought into the world.Father, thank you, thank you, thank you for the Gift you gave me on that night long ago in Bethlehem. May the Light that was shed abroad announcing His birth shine brightly in me to light the way for others to come to You.Link to scripture: John 3:3Take action: